The Tōhoku earthquake occurred on March 11, 2011, off the northeastern coast of Japan. It registered a magnitude of 9.0, making it one of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded. The quake caused significant ground shaking and triggered a massive tsunami that reached heights of up to 40 meters in some areas. The tsunami devastated coastal communities, leading to widespread destruction and loss of life. Approximately 18,500 people were reported dead or missing, and many more were injured. The disaster also caused a nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, resulting in the release of radioactive materials.